Interestingly, the entire New Testament begins with a genealogy. This is a stumbling block for many, because in the first chapter they have to read the genealogy. Many were tempted and stumbled. But this is not a mistake, because everything begins with a man – from his birth. The Gospel begins with the birth of John the Baptist. The Lord began His Gospel not with the birth of Christ, but with the birth of John. Because he was the connecting link between the Old and New Testaments. It is not written that John performed a miracle or had powerful prophecies like Isaiah or Ezekiel, but he was “greater” as Christ said.
What was his greatness? He was the forerunner of Christ Himself, he connected the Old and New Testaments and became part of the Gospel.
And so the genealogy of Jesus Christ begins with names. This is very important to understand. Man is important to God, who stands before Him. And it is said that first was Cain, then Abel – and Cain first brought his gift, then Abel. First he arose and then brought his gift. First a man, then a gift.
Revelation
“I see in the hands of the man of God the keys with which he opened any door. Some asked for these keys, to which the man of God said that they should have their own keys, because if the man of God gave them his, they wouldn’t be able to use them. Some were offended, thinking that the man of God, out of greed, wouldn’t give his keys to them. And some went to look for their own keys. And there were people who had already found their keys, and were very happy about it.”
Today I want to say that we are going to the roots, we are using these keys – the restoration of honor, the restoration of righteousness, in some way the restoration of the Jewish God of Isaac, Abraham and Jacob. There are many signs of Apostolic connection and prophetic ministry here.
Today we will talk about the keys of the Kingdom of God and authority based on the revelation that came today.
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples: “Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Then Jesus answered and said to him: “Blessed are you, Simon, Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:13-19).
We know this Scripture. But I want to pay attention to the fact that the Lord says about us possessing the keys of the Kingdom, and as we receive the Kingdom, we must also be able to enter it, see it and have it.
In some places in Scripture, the Lord says, “you will see the Kingdom” or “you will not see it.” That is, there are people to whom He shows the Kingdom. Elsewhere He says you will “enter” – or “not enter” into it. In order to enter the Kingdom, we have to see it. We need keys.
What are the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven? What did Christ mean when He said that He would give the keys of the Kingdom? This means that you will enjoy the benefits of the Kingdom.
Not everyone can be admitted into the Kingdom. One must have the key.
And that key is God’s election and faith in that election. We come with this key and enter the Kingdom.
Jesus says here that He “gives the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Many Catholics believe that Peter is the founding Apostle. In order to hold these keys, the Catholic Church even developed the doctrine of the papacy – that the Pope of Rome has the keys as God’s authority on earth.
But we are in the revelation of the Holy Spirit, and we understand that there are those people today who have access to the mysteries of God, to treasures, they also have access to the keys. We have heard today in the revelation that the man of God has also been given keys to many doors.
This is very clear to me. It’s not like you walk around and demonstrate how doors open. But when you walk with God, and God guides you, the doors open. I can testify to you how God has opened incredible doors, things hard to imagine. Even such thoughts would not have come if God had not given these thoughts. God gives, you go – and the doors open.
When we use the keys of the Kingdom, we immediately begin to discover the powerlessness of the enemy. The Lord says that “I will build the Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
Jesus shows the powerlessness of the enemy. The enemy can’t resist God’s move. He is manifesting, he will be manifesting, but he can’t stop God’s movement.
The Church is built on the rock . Jesus says that He will build on the “rock” – “on you, Peter.” It used to be generally taught that way, and I also thought that man is belittled. That a man is not so important, that it is necessary to equalize the Body of Christ, that everyone is equal, and so on.
Today I understand that one always needs a mentor. It is true even about other religions. The Bible says that for man “out of a thousand there can be a mediator”. Apostle Paul said: “You are God’s field, we are the coworkers.” John said that “whoever listens to us is from God, whoever does not listen is not from God.” Here we see the teaching that mentors are needed. We see the teaching that man is important before God, who stands before Him. And upon him the Kingdom is built.
Christ says: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it..” Therefore, we should not belittle the significance of man before God, because God works through a man. In some places today if you take away the man – namely his personality, his character, his life, his style, his nature – and everything collapses. And this doesn’t mean this wasn’t all built from God – we have to understand that man must occupy the right place in the Divine plan.
Jesus goes on to say that “you shall have the authority to bind and loose.” How can we wield this authority? Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. Today we are here, and we bind the powers of darkness, bind lies, deceit in the Body of Christ, bind false doctrines, bind witchcraft.
It is wonderful to have the keys of the Kingdom. If you have the keys of the Kingdom that the Lord has given you, you will find your Kingdom.
These are the keys of the Kingdom, the ability – I want to carry it with me, in my heart, take those keys in the innermost treasures of my room. I don’t even want the kingdom there – I want the keys. These keys will open any kingdom. And when these keys, which is Jesus Christ, Who can enter any door, He can go through any wall, are in us, then we have the ability of God – the ability of God to open doors.
He says: “This is the authority – what you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and what you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Dear brothers and sisters! This great privilege belongs to the church today. We have the power to bind and loose! We loose revival here, we loose God’s faith here, we loose the flourishing of human genius here, we loose the human spirit, murdered by cruel orders, by various historical factors, to rise up, that which was oppressed and enslaved – we loose this spirit in this land!
You know that Europe has become the cradle of Christianity. The Apostles and their disciples went all over, centers of revival broke out in Europe, churches were born. But today it is a different picture. This “bound Bride” is the harlot of Babylon – today we bind her and loose God’s people destined for God. We believe that this authority is ours today, and we are here – for this reason – to unleash a revival, to untie the Bride, to untie God’s horsemen of the Apocalypse, to unleash God’s heroes, of whom it is said, “Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O Lord!” Loose the trumpeters, God’s trumpeters who blow the shofars to untie the voice of the Lord that blows over this land!
And one more Scripture.
“Then the same day at evening being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: “Peace be with you!” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet and His side.
Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again: “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:19-23).
Jesus went through shut doors. The doors were locked, but He stood in the midst of them and said to them, “Peace be with you!” And he showed his hands and feet. Jesus gave them authority when He breathed on them. The same Spirit that went out of the mouth of Jesus, also fell upon us. It’s the same Spirit; it’s not another spirit, not any descendant; it’s the same Spirit of God that came from the mouth of Christ upon the Apostles; It’s come upon us today. And He comes with the same power and nature and authority. Because He said: “To whom you forgive sins, they will be forgiven.”
We have heard marvelous testimonies of the manner in which the authority was exercised in the Spirit. When you are filled with the Spirit and show the authority – to leave a person without God or with God. This power is with us today. These keys hold the power to retain or forgive sins.
We receive today the spirit of authority with the keys that the Holy Spirit showed, we receive the peace of God, as Christ said: “Peace be with you!”, and gave us power in these keys – to forgive sins. You say, “Who are you to do this?” I will answer: “I am the same as Jesus, Who did this, and this is why they crucified Him!”
They crucified Him because He forgave sins. He gave us this power – “whose sins you forgive – they will be forgiven, whose sins you retain – they will be retained.”
We have the power to retain sins. And we are not gods to distribute forgiveness – this must be done in the spirit of revelation – some people remain sinful and they fall under the judgments. This is happening right now.
What are these keys in the hands of the man of God and in the hands of God’s people who understand their power and authority? The Lord said these words: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath, blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall turn into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:17-21).
“So those who willingly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42).
These days we are abiding in prayer and reflection, in deep dwelling in the Word and worship. Wherever we go, a wondrous divine cloud of glory surrounds us. This is incredible. But it is written that one must “willingly” accept the Word. Let’s learn to accept the Word willingly! This is the blessing we receive – with the keys we receive the authority and the power to witness. This is not only in your cities – it is in Judea, Samaria and even to the ends of the earth. This power will work everywhere – in whatever country you find yourself, in whatever condition – it works the same everywhere – this is the power of the keys of the Kingdom. Today we have this heritage with you. We accept these keys of the Kingdom – the keys of the Gospel.